Another Mall Shooting

A burst of shots rang out around 2pm in the Von Maur store in Omaha's largest shopping mall. The president had just left town from a fund raiser about an hour before this incident.

Witness reports say that as many as 20-25 shots were heard. The suspect was supposedly apprehended sitting on a bench outside the mall wearing camo fatigues. Early indicators show that as many as 5 people were injured. There is one confirmed fatality and possibly another, and five people being treated with gunshot wounds. A 61 year old male is being treated with a gunshot wound to the chest another male in his 30's with a gunshot wound to the arm, and another with a cut to the face. Reports say the suspect walked up and pointed his weapon point blank to another persons head and fired. Another man was said to be shot at the escalator.

The Westroads Mall was put on lock down by the police while searching for the suspect. They were unsure just exactly how many shooters there were. People leaving the mall exited with their hands above their heads and other customers were locked into stores taking cover from potential danger.

During the height of the shopping season the scene is reminiscent of the Colombine school shootings, terrorizing families around the country with fears that loved ones might be affected. It makes one wonder what is happening to our society.

Update: Looks like this shooting is related to another troubled young adult. A total of 9 people died in this shooting including the shooter. He left behind a suicide note stating he was going out in style. The shooter was described as a non-violent person that was kind to animals. He was also described as someone that things just don't go right for. He was prone to depression, lost his job at McDonalds, was kicked out of his home over a year ago and just lost his girlfriend.

Beer Prices Going Up Too!

Gas prices have been shooting through the roof and everyone knows that milk prices follow right behind that. The housing market is down in the dumps and its not just the home owners are being affected. Renters are also being evicted due to property owners not paying their bills on their rental properties. And now it is going to cost you to drown out your sorrows. Beer prices are now going up to compensate for the rising cost in hops and barley.

I am glad that I'm not much of a drinker. I already gave up drinking milk. Americans are realizing that they are being forced to cut back. Many will be spending less for the holidays by trying to find more practical and affordable gifts this year. "It's the thought that counts" will be floating around in everyone's mind this year.

I am one of those that likes to look at the bright side of every story. Drinking and Driving should decline due to people not able to afford to do it anymore!

Evel Knievel Passes Away

The legendary dare devil, Evel Knievel passed away today at the age of 69. He has claimed to have broken every bone in his body, and is known for daring to jump over just about anything imaginable from buses to shark tanks. His most famous jump would probably be his attempt to jump over the snake river canyon in Twin Falls, Idaho in 1974.

I grew up in Idaho and I always wanted to be a dare devil. I am not a dare devil today, but I still think about my obsession when I was a child. My favorite comic book character was Dare Devil and my favorite TV show was "The Fall Guy". That is probably the reason my mother never allowed my to have a motorcycle while growing up. She probably knew I would kill myself attempting to recreate an Evel Knievel stunt. It didn't stop me from attempting jumps on my bicycle however. I used to jump small creeks on my bike and I do remember some painful crashes.

My mother lives in Twin Falls, Idaho and I while visiting I have went to the location that Evel Knievel tried to jump the canyon. The ramp is actually still there. When you see the canyon, you can't imagine what he was thinking. And no, his rocket ship didn't make it across. Base jumpers often go to this canyon to jump off of the bridge into the canyon. A few years ago my mother actually witnessed one that was killed when his parachute didn't open. I also remember seeing in the news that a Semi-truck was lifted up and blown off of the bridge by the wind while crossing.

Evel Knievel will be missed.